Retired police offer advice and support to stressed officers

This article describes the experiences of police officers in Lakewood Police Department who received counseling from Cop2Cop, a crisis intervention and suicide prevention program. Lakewood Police Chief Robert Lawson mandated the group counseling for the entire department after a Lakewood police officer was shot and killed while on routine patrol. “They made us feel more comfortable because they are cops,” said Gary Przewoznik, president of Policeman’s Benevolent Association Local 71. “…It was good to be able to vent and talk about how you felt with your peers, and see that everybody felt the same way.” Cop2Cop also operates a 24-hour crisis intervention and suicide prevention hotline for law enforcement officers. The crisis line is staffed by retired officers who are licensed clinical social workers, mental health professionals who have received special training, and retired law enforcement volunteers trained to work as peer supporters.